Ahoskie hospital receives cooling system for infants lost at birth

Kennedy’s Angel Gowns embraces Will, Ashley and their son Noah as they continue to show the world what God can do through them. This journey started shortly after their daughter Eliza Mae was stillborn on October 9, 2019, at Vidant Roanoke-Chowan Hospital in Ahoskie, North Carolina.

Mere months later the Brown family raised enough funds in Eliza Mae’s honor to purchase a Cuddle Cot™. The Cuddle Cot™ system cools baby allowing families to stay with their baby before being moved to the morgue.

Dedication Ceremony

The Cuddle Cot™ was dedicated today at Vidant in honor of Eliza Mae. Kennedy’s Angel Gowns was honored to support the family as the amazing hospital staff at Vidant received the Cuddle Cot™ in the labor and delivery ward.

Judy Bruno, President of the hospital, greeted everyone, spoke about courage and empathy through beautiful quotes. She is right—courage is strength in the face of pain or grief and the Brown family has been an amazing example of courage. Heather & Demitri Wilson shared their connection to the Brown family along with a few words followed by the Brown family.

We can’t stop thinking about rainbows. Lisa Rushing, RN, Nurse Manager of Women’s and Children’s Care, mentioned Dr. Maya Angelou’s reference to the phrase “be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud“. Turns out this comes from a 19th-century African-American song popularly known as “God Put A Rainbow in the Clouds.” Anyway, she likened Kennedy’s Angel Gowns as a rainbow to the Brown family — and they will be a rainbow to many others too!

Then Lisa (photo above, left) shared this poem by Christy Kennealy for the Brown family and there was not a dry eye in the room. Get a tissue, you’ll need it.

I did not die young
I lived my span of life
within your body
and within your love.

There are many
that have lived long lives
and have not been loved as me.

If you would honor me
then speak my name
and number me among your family.

If you would honor me
then strive to live in love
for in that love, I live.

Never, ever doubt
that we will meet again.

Until that happy day
I will grow with God
and wait for you.

It was evident the room was filled with staff who support and love the Brown family. This kind of loss—pregnancy and infant loss—requires a special kind of person and they are here at Vidant.

Enjoy the video from today and make it a point to be a rainbow ? in someone else’s cloud.

p.s. Did you know Kennedy’s Angel Gowns donats Cuddle Cots? Check out the growing list of local hospitals!